ASK THE EXPERTS:
Q
HOW BIG SHOULD
THE BACKING BE?
Always get your machine quilter’s
preference. I like 4" on all sides. So if
a quilt top is 60" square, I would like a
backing that is 68" square.VICKI RUEBEL, orchidowlquilts.comIS IT
NECESSARY
TO PRESS
THE QUILT
TOP BEFORE
DELIVERING IT
TO YOU FOR
QUILTING?
Yes! I prefer to have a quilt top
pressed both from the back and
the front. After pressing the
front, run a lint remover across
the top to remove pet hair.MAGGI HONEYMAN, sewmaggisquilting.comPress the quilt top and the fold
creases in the backing fabric. Cut
selvages off the backing seams
and press the seams open.VICKI HOTH, handiquilter.comQ WHAT IS
SOMETHING
YOU WISH
PEOPLE KNEW
ABOUT HIRING
A MACHINE
QUILTER?
A
Most machine
quilters who
do custom work
have a specific
style. Pick the
machine quilter
whose style most
closely aligns
with your desired
finished look. To
use painters as an
example, I’d say
don’t hire Pablo
Picasso if you
are looking for a
Norman Rockwell.MARION MCCLELLAN
myquiltdiet.blogspot.comESTABLISH A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH A LONG-ARM
QUILTER TO ENSURE THE BEST RESULTS FOR YOUR PROJECTS.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS DIRECT FROM THE PROS.
Q
A
A
YOU HAVE
CONTACTED
SOMEONE ABOUT
QUILTING YOUR
PIECED TOP.
Now what?▫ Talk about pricing.
Determine what is
included—batting,
thread, shipping, tax—
and what isn’t.
▫ Discuss a deadline,
understanding that
some times of the year,
such as Christmas and
graduation, tend to be
busier.
▫ Ask about which one of
you should trim layers
and attach binding.
▫ Provide inspiration
images or quilting
motifs you do and do
not like.
▫ Share thread color
ideas and batting
preferences.
▫ Inquire about
insurance in case of a
natural disaster.
▫ Confirm delivery
method. If shipping
your quilt, verify
the address. Once
shipped, share the
tracking number.
▫ Prep quilt for quilter.
- Mark orientation of
quilt top and backing
fabric. - Label quilt top,
backing fabric, and
binding individually
with your name and
contact information.
▫ Thank your quilter!